The Commission establishes sentencing policies and practices for the federal courts. Each year, the Commission reviews and refines these policies in light of congressional action, decisions from courts of appeals, sentencing-related research, and input from the criminal justice community.

In this section, you can follow the Commission’s work through the amendment cycle as priorities are set, research is performed, testimony is heard, and amendments are adopted.

The U.S. Sentencing Commission is an independent agency in the judicial branch that was created as part of the Sentencing Reform Act of 1984. Commissioners are appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate. The Attorney General, or the Attorney General’s designee, and the Chair of the U.S. Parole Commission serve as ex officio, nonvoting members of the Commission.

In this section, learn about the Commission’s mission, structure, and ongoing work.

Reports to the Congress

Congressional Reports

Booker Reports

Report on the Continuing Impact of United States v. Booker on Federal Sentencing (December 2012). This report assesses the continuing impact of United States v. Booker on the federal sentencing system. Part A of the report discusses the history of the federal sentencing guidelines and the sentencing process after Booker. It also provides statistical analyses of federal sentencing data and recommendations for strengthening the federal sentencing guidelines system. Parts B through F and corresponding appendices include more detailed descriptions of appellate court decisions, additional sentencing data, a description of other stakeholders' proposals for sentencing reform, and summaries of relevant public hearings and the Commission's 2010 survey of district judges.

Report to the Congress: Increased Penalties for Campaign Finance Offenses and Legislative Recommendations (May 2003).This report is submitted pursuant to section 314 of the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002, Pub. L. 107-155 (the "Act"). Section 314 required the United States Sentencing Commission (the "Commission") to promulgate a guideline "for penalties for violations of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971." The Commission, acting under emergency authority conferred by the Act, promulgated an amendment, effective January 25, 2003, which created an temporary guideline for campaign finance offenses. That guideline was repromulgated without change as a permanent amendment in March 2003 and, subject to congressional review, will become effective on November 1, 2003.

Report to the Congress - Adequacy of Federal Sentencing Guideline Penalties for Computer Fraud & Vandalism Offenses. This report responds to the Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996’s directive to review the deterrent effect of existing guidelines as they apply to various computer crimes. The Commission reviewed its data of guideline convictions under the pertinent statute, conducted a search to determine whether any recidivism had occurred, developed a profile of a “typical offender,” and conducted a literature review of deterrence studies of “white collar” crime.

Report to Congress: Adequacy of Penalties for Fraud Offenses Involving Elderly Victims (March 1995). This report responds to a congressional directive to review the adequacy of victim-related guideline adjustments for fraud offenses against elderly victims. The report includes: (1) an overview of the legislative history leading to the statutory directive; (2) a discussion of the operation of the relevant sentencing guidelines and policy statements; (3) an examination of case law; (4) an empirical analysis of relevant sentencing data.

Report to the Congress: Cocaine and Federal Sentencing Policy (May 2007). This is the Commission's fourth report to Congress on the subject of federal cocaine sentencing policy. The report updates much of the data and information contained in previous Commission reports and provides recommendations to Congress for modifications to the statutory penalty structure for federal cocaine offenses.

Special Report to the Congress: Cocaine and Federal Sentencing Policy (February 1995). This report responds to a congressional directive that the Commission examine federal sentencing policy as it relates to powder and crack cocaine. The report examines pharmacology, methods of use, societal impacts, cocaine distribution and marketing, cocaine's relationship to violent crime, the legislative history of cocaine penalties, and constitutional challenges; and data related to federal drug offenses.

Mandatory Minimum Penalties

Report to the Congress: Mandatory Minimum Penalties in the Federal Criminal Justice System (October 2011). This report assesses the impact of mandatory minimum penalties on federal sentencing, particularly in light of the Supreme Court's decision in Booker v. United States. The United States Sentencing Commission prepared this report pursuant to a congressional directive contained in section 4713 of the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2009, Pub L. No. 111–84, and the Commission's statutory authority under 28 U.S.C. §§ 994–995.

Report to Congress: Analysis of Penalties for Federal Rape Cases (March 1995). This report discusses the operation of the sentencing guidelines with regard to federal rape cases, compares federal and state penalties for sexual assault, analyzes Sentencing Commission sexual abuse data, and analyzes public comment and expert opinion on pertinent issues.

Report to the Congress: Sex Crimes Against Children (June 1996). This report analyzes all 1994 and 1995 cases involving sexual abuse, child pornography, or the promotion of illegal sexual contact. The report responds to a congressional directive in the Sex Crimes Against Children Prevention Act of 1995. Pertinent statutory provisions are analyzed and recommendations are presented.